Chapter Twenty-three
When Marielle fell asleep in his arms, Connor didnt see any reason to move her. He folded the blanket over her and let her sleep, sprawled across his chest, while he gazed up at the stars.
It was a miracle she still loved him, and a part of him wanted to hold on to her forever. But it was her hearts desire to return home to heaven, and he had sworn to help her. He wouldnt break his pledge. He was haunted, though, by the thought that time was running out. If she became too human, would the Archangels accept her back?
After a few hours, she stirred. They gathered up their clothes, and he teleported them back to the cabin.
There were three missed calls on his cell phone and an angry text from Angus. Where the hell are you?
Connor warmed up another bottle of blood and made the call.
Where the hell have ye been? Angus demanded. Ye missed our strategy meeting for tomorrow night.
I had to guard Marielle.
Ye could have brought her with you. And ye should have answered yer damned phone. We were worried something had happened to you.
How is Shannas father? Connor asked, attempting to change the subject.
Hes in a vampire coma, but his wounds appear to be healing. Well know for sure tomorrow night if hes going to make the transition.
Did everyone make it through the battle all right?
Aye, just a few cuts and scrapes that will heal in death-sleep, Angus answered. I ripped my kilt, and when I tried to order a new one online, they said it would be three months before I could get it.
Three months? Connor had never heard of it taking so long.
Aye, apparently theres been a sudden rush on kilts. Forty-three orders from some town in New York.
Connor grinned. The lad from the ice cream shop must have told a few friends, and the news had spread.
Anyway, I want you and Marielle here tomorrow after sunset, Angus ordered. Everyones gathering here at Romatech. Well have some time to prepare before the sun sets at Mount Rushmore.
Ye think its a trap? Connor asked.
Aye. So well be arriving in two different groups. If the first group is trapped, the second group should be able to set things straight.
Makes sense to me. See you tomorrow. Connor rang off.
He settled on the couch next to Marielle. We know where to find Casimir tomorrow. Ye could stay here
I want to be with you.
He brushed her hair back over her shoulders. I hate to put you at risk.
I have to be there when Casimir and the Malcontents are defeated. She rested her head on his shoulder. I dont think its a coincidence that Casimir asked you all to come to Mount Rushmore. I lost my wings near there. I believe I will get them back at the same place.
He groaned inwardly. Then she was hoping to leave him tomorrow night. He was sorely tempted to beg her to stay with him. But how could he? How could he expect her to give up an eternity in heaven for the short life of a mortal? If he truly loved her, he would let her go.
Not again, Marielle grumbled when Connor handed her a dagger.
Aye, yere no going without a weapon. He strapped a belt around her waist.
It was Marielles seventh day on Earth, the day humans called Friday. Just before dawn, the ladies had brought Brynley to the cabin as usual, and she had guarded the cabin during the day.
Just after sunset, Connor had emerged from the closet and guzzled down a bottle of blood. Now he was arming himself and Marielle before teleporting to Romatech.
I want to go, too! Brynley announced. I kicked ass last night.
Connor gave her a worried look. Can ye shift again tonight?
Yes! I can shift for three nights at the time of a full moon. Tell Phineas to get his tight ass over here and pick me up.
Connor arched a brow. Ill pass yer message on to him. He grabbed on to Marielle. Lets go.
Dont forget about me! Brynley shouted. Ill kick Phineass ass if he doesnt . . .
Everything went black, and Brynleys shouts faded away.
Marielle stumbled when they arrived on the grounds at Romatech.
Come. Connor led her through the side entrance.
So many Vamps were arriving, the MacKay security office and hallway were jammed.
Once yere fully armed, go the cafeteria! Angus shouted.
Marielle accompanied Connor to the cafeteria. He introduced her to other Vamps along the way: Jack, Zoltan, Mikhail, Kyo, and a man Connor referred to as Russell, the new guy. They had come from Eastern Europe, Russia, and Japan, and Connor explained how theyd spent hours teleporting west and following the moon in order to be at Romatech at the correct time.
Then he introduced her to Jean-Luc, Dougal, J.L., Rafferty, and Colbert. They lived in Texas, California, and Louisiana, so they had spent the night at Romatech.
Connor was introducing her to the cat shifters, Carlos and Rajiv, when she spotted Phineas and waved him over.
Yo, whats up? Phineas did a knuckle pound with Connor.
Marielle lifted her fist, and with a grin, Phineas tapped her knuckles softly. Looking good, angel.
Brynley wants to fight again, Connor said. Do ye have time to teleport her here?
Marielle tried to remember Brynleys exact words. She said you should get your tight ass over there and pick her up.
Phineass eyes widened. Is that what she said?
Connor snorted and gave Marielle a wry look.
I was trying to be accurate, Marielle replied. I believe those were her exact words.
Tight, huh? Phineas smirked. His cell phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket. Thats probably her now. He put the phone up to his ear and deepened the tone of his voice. Hello, baby. The Love Doctor is at your service.
He jumped. Oh, hi, Angus. Sir. Yes, sir. Im right on it. He turned off the phone. Shit!
Whats wrong? Connor asked.
Stans emergency button went off in the office, Phineas grumbled, his face showing a hint of red. I have to see whats going on. He vanished.
Who is Stan? Marielle asked. She didnt like the worried look on Connors face.
Stanislav is our mole at the Russian coven in Brooklyn, Connor explained. Maybe he knows something about Casimirs plan for tonight.
You still believe its a trap?
Connor shrugged. It could be. But Casimir is still in a bad position. He lost over half of his men last night. We have plenty of excellent fighters, so we shouldna let this chance go by. The bastard needs to be killed once and for all.
Marielle nodded. There was no denying the fact that the world would be a much safer place once Casimir was gone. Oh,theres Roman.
As Roman walked into the cafeteria, he was greeted with multiple questions about his wife and father-in-law.
Roman raised his hands to quiet down the crowd. I just left Shanna and her father. Hes doing as well as can be expected. His stomach wound is completely healed.
What about his rotten personality? Jean-Luc asked.
Roman snorted. Im afraid theres no cure for that.
Is he pissed? Jack asked.
Roman smiled. Hes adjusting. He had one bottle of blood, then asked for some Blissky. Hes . . . upset, but not just because hes Undead now. Hes angry about missing the battle tonight.
Roman worked his way through the crowd, greeting the Vamps and shifters. He pulled out his cell phone and frowned at it, then approached Marielle and Connor. He smiled at her, then nodded his head at Connor.
Connor nodded back.
Marielle sighed. Things were obviously still tense between the two men.
Shanna asked me to thank you for your help in saving her fathers life, Roman told her.
I am so pleased he is doing well, she replied.
Shanna was too upset last night to realize what you had done. Roman gave her a sympathetic look. Im sure it was not an easy thing for you to do.
Marielle nodded. She didnt want to admit her fear that taking a vampires life had ruined her chances of returning to heaven.
After we returned here last night, Father Andrew came by to console Shanna and pray with her, Roman continued. He has an unusual view on the situation. He believes you were meant to save Sean, just like you did me, and that your destiny will continue to be linked with ours.
Marielle glanced at Connor. Perhaps. She still wasnt quite sure she could actually leave him.
Connors eyebrows lifted with a questioning look.
Roman glanced at his phone again and sighed. I dont know why hes not answering. There must be some sort of emergency at his church.
Yere trying to call Father Andrew? Connor asked.
Yes. Roman frowned. He should be here by now. He wanted to give us a blessing before we go.
Is everyone ready? Angus shouted as he entered the cafeteria.
Everyone let out a loud whoop.
Take a seat, Angus ordered. When everyone was seated, he continued, Yeve either been assigned to my team or the second much larger team, led by Robby. The second team, comprised of Vamps and shifters, will arrive ten minutes after the first.
So if we get in trouble, first team, remember we have to last ten minutes.
Connor took Marielles hand and squeezed it.
Phil has contacted his werewolf friends in the area, and they have set up a beacon in a wooded area close to the monument, Angus explained. That is our focal point for teleporting.
Phineas rushed into the cafeteria, and everyone sat up.
News? Angus asked.
Yes, Phineas replied. Stan reports that Nadia received a call from Casimir. She and her coven have been ordered to go into battle.
Angus nodded. Casimir is desperate to increase his number.
Stan said if he has to kill anybody, itll be a Malcontent, Phineas continued. So hes asking everybody here to remember which side hes on and not to kill him.
Angus snorted. So the main reason he called you is hes worried about his own skin.
Phineas shrugged. Partly. Hes also worried about Nadia. Casimir has given her a special assignment to carry out. Stan doesnt know what it is, but he says shes dizzy with excitement over it.
Angus muttered a curse under his breath.
Phineas stiffened. Oh, I gotta go.
Angus frowned. Were about to leave.
Ill hurry. Big bad wolfie-girl needs a ride. Phineas vanished.
Is he talking about my sister? Phil called out.
Everyone chuckled.
Seconds later, the Vamps and shifters all turned to look out the cafeteria window. Marielle assumed it was due to their superior hearing, since she hadnt heard anything.
Outside by the basketball court, Phineas had returned with Brynley. An angry Brynley who was shouting at Phineas. She shoved him, then he grabbed her arm and dragged her to the cafeteria door.
Dont ever leave me waiting like that again! Brynley yelled as Phineas opened the door.
Dont ever attack me again! Phineas pushed her inside.
Brynley raised a hand to strike him, but he caught her wrist.
Snout-face, he hissed.
Bloodsucker, she growled.
Angus cleared his throat.
Brynley looked around and saw everyone watching them. Her face turned a shade of pink, but she gave them a big smile. Hi there! Im ready to fight.
We can see that, Angus said dryly. Brynley, yere on Team Two. Phineas, yere Team One.
Phineas nodded and released Brynleys wrist. Be careful, he mumbled.
She cast a worried look his direction. You, too.
A timer went off, its peeping noise filling the cafeteria.
Angus punched a button on his wristwatch, then motioned for his wife, Emma, to join him. Thats it. The sun has set on Mount Rushmore. Team One, time to move out.
Marielle accompanied Connor to where the first team was gathering.
Shanna dashed into the cafeteria and ran to her husband in the first group. Are you leaving now?
Yes. Roman embraced her and kissed her brow. Did Father Andrew make it? When Shanna shook her head, he looked at Marielle. Would you say a blessing for us?
Of course. Marielle nodded, not wanting to admit that she feared her prayers were no longer heeded. Last night, shed begged in vain for a Healer to help Sean Whelan.
She cleared her throat. May the Lord bless us and keep us. May His light shine upon us, and may He return us all safely to our loved ones.
Everyone mumbled an amen. Some crossed themselves.
Marielle hugged Connor tight. Please, be careful.
If it gets ugly, hide in the woods. Stay alive. He kissed her temple.
Roman cleared his throat.
Marielle turned to see him and Shanna watching her and Connor curiously.
I have to hold her to teleport her, Connor grumbled.
I have to hold him, too. Marielle slipped her arms around his neck.
Why do you have to go? Shanna asked her.
I have to do my part to make sure Casimir is defeated, Marielle replied. I believe it will convince the Archangels to let me back into heaven. And I dont think its a coincidence that this is happening by Mount Rushmore, where I lost my wings. It should be where I can get them back.
Oh, I see. Shanna gave her a sad look. Then you might be leaving us tonight?
Perhaps. Marielle felt Connors arm tighten around her. I cant be sure this will work.
Shanna embraced her, then hugged her husband again.
Ye think yere leaving tonight? Connor whispered.
Im not sure. I dont really know if I can ever get back.
But if they come for you tonight, yell go?
The thought of leaving Connor brought tears to her eyes. I guess.
That was why ye wanted to be with me last night. Ye thought it was our last chance?
She blinked away the tears and nodded. I will always love you,Connor.
Time to go, Angus announced.
Connor pulled her tight in a fierce hug, then everything went black.